Memory is central to our personal and professional lives and is not something we should take for granted. To perform at our best, we need to maintain our psychological and physical well-being.
In recent years, researchers have taken an integrated approach to memory improvement. Mnemonic strategies, repetition, and visualisation are valuable memory tools. Still, mental function is also influenced by many factors ranging from our physical and emotional states to our environment and social interactions. We need to be aware of these less obvious influences that can make the difference between memory success and failure.
Health and memory
People who are often ill have significantly more memory problems than those in good health. Serum illnesses such as stroke or Alzheimer’s disease can, of course, cause memory loss. Still, even the common cold can have an effect, and a particularly bad cold or flu may cause considerable difficulties with recall. High stress levels can also have a significant effect. If you are feeling cheerful, you will generally learn and recall information more readily than if you are depressed or negative. City and stress reduce your ability to direct attention, so leave room in your day for some relaxation.
On the other hand, a moderate amount of stress is better for your memory than none at all. The absence of stress can reduce your sense of urgency to the extent that you fail to pay attention. Routines and repetitive tasks may become so automatic that you barely notice what you are doing and so forget what you have done.
Loo king after your physical health can bring positive memory benefits. Exercise boosts the brain’s production of endorphins, which are chemical compounds that act as natural antidepressants. The brain needs an abundant supply of oxygen and glucose to perform at its best, so eating a healthy diet to keep your body well-plied with nutrients is an important step. Getting a good night’s sleep is vital for all types of memory performance, so make this a priority. Hearing and eyesight are also important to memory – if we do not hear or see the information properly, we cannot register it in memory – so make sure they are checked regularly.
Social pressures
We are more likely to experience memory failure when we are among other people than when we are alone. Sometimes, the flow of conversation in a group is too quick, or someone speaks so softly that the effort of hearing distracts us from the task of remembering. We may be distracted by our emotions if the atmosphere is exciting and boisterous, like a party, or tense and formal, like a business meeting. Shyness can hamper our ability to concentrate when people tell us their names and other details. If we recall some events differently from others in a group, their combined skepticism about our version may convince us that we have made a mistake.
But social situations can also provide a great incentive for cultivating a good memory. You may not be aware of the fit, but you probably have a reputation with your friends or work colleagues for your memory. People keep track of who has a good memory so that they know whom they can depend on in certain situations. It helps if you remain in touch with issues under discussion at work and home. Try to keep up with what you need to know and what others are likely to ask you about. When called upon to remember something, express yourself carefully: overstating or understating what you recall may damage your credibility. It also makes a good impression if you are able to remember people’s names and other details. When talking on the phone to friends and family, try to remember some of the details (especially about imminent plans or current concerns) so that you can refer back to these when you talk again.
Competence and expectation
There are many different kinds of memory challenges, and it is not possible to be skilled in all of them. People vary in their competence at everyday memory tasks, as they do most things. Some people tend to be error prone, and this will show itself in their memory performance. Others are very careful not to make mistakes and may avoid certain learning and memory tasks unless they are sure they will succeed. Your perception of your competence will also influence the effort you make to remember certain types of information. It is good to be positive about memory tasks, but you must also be realistic – or you may be led to attempt challenges that you probably should have avoided. Reward and punishment affect memory competence just as they affect other behaviors. For example, we may be highly motivated to remember certain information – such as the details of a potential business contact or a person we are attracted to – because we hope to benefit from knowing it.
